Middle Georgia peach farmers optimistic amid early cold, wet winter predictions

ocal peach farmers are feeling optimistic about the upcoming crop despite fluctuating weather conditions.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Local peach farmers are feeling optimistic about the upcoming crop despite fluctuating weather conditions.

Cold temperatures arrived early this year, which is giving the peach crop a big boost right now, but according to 41NBCs AccuWeather meteorologist Chris Denmark, the winter season is expected to be wet and mild.

“We’re going to see overnight lows get below freezing, but we’re not going to see any below average staying as of now,” Denmark said. “But we are going to see an above average winter for precipitation wise, whether that’s rain or maybe even the slight, very slight possibility of some winter precip.”

While expected rain is great for peaches, that alone doesn’t determine if a peach crop will be bountiful.

One of the big factors is the amount of cold temperature a peach gets between October and February, and the spring season is essential for the peach crop as well.

“Spring, once it warms up or the trees bloom, it needs to stay warm,” Lane Southern Orchard CEO Mark Sanchez said. “You don’t need that going back and forth up and down, because once you get that that subfreezing temperature, even for a very short duration at the right time, it can be can be really detrimental to a peach crop.”

Cold temperatures in spring could ruin a peach crop, which is what happened last year.

Despite that chance, local peach farmers remain optimistic and are hoping for a successful harvest next year.